BenI entered my office and slammed the door behind me. I had tried my best to hold it together back at the conference room but this shit was infuriating.My face burned with rage as I clenched my jaw. How could this have happened?A lot was at stake. The successful signing of this deal was crucial to the company's future and there was no room for mediocrity.Ana's presentation was excellent, and flawless. It was above average and better than what I'd expected from someone like her. Yet, the deal didn't go through.What a waste! I slammed my hands on the desk, sending files, papers, and stationary flying in all directions.My assistant came running. “Is everything okay, Mr. Pierce?”“You were there, what do you think!” I snapped at him, my frustration getting the better of me.“We're still in the clear, sir.” He said, cautiously stepping into my office. “Your wife did a wonderful job with the presentation. At least this time, they aren't writing us off completely.”I took a few calm
AnaI stepped out of the building, my body threatening to collapse under my shaky legs any minute. I glanced around to find the driver waiting by the car, just like in the morning.I was still reeling from my heated argument with Ben. I wondered how I was going to survive 30 days in the same space with him.He would always be around me; in the house, in the office. Soon enough, I might find myself doing something I might regret later. The man was totally unbearable.And yet Mama Canda called him adorable? I'm absolutely sure she has no idea the type of man he really was. A giant asshole!The driver opened the car door and I entered, settling comfortably into the plush leather seat, grateful to be away from Ben's toxic presence.I sniffled and flicked away a single droplet of tears from my cheeks. I would never let Ben get under my skin again. I would do my job and get the hell out of his house once it's over.I fished around in my purse for my phone and called Beth.As I waited for Be
Ben“What's taking so long?” The priest came up behind me and whispered in my ear. He was getting impatient.“She'll be here soon, Father. I answered. She's probably stuck in traffic.”But the congregation was beginning to get fussy. People were muttering and grumbling, but quietly, careful not to make too much noise in the house of God.I stood there at the altar, heart thumping beneath my new suit, as I waited for Shirley, my lovely bride, to show up.I turned to my twin brother, Benjamin.“Try her number one more time.”“I have, she's not picking up. And just now it's switched off,” he answered.I nodded, but the anxiety was beginning to gnaw at me.“What if I go and look for her?” He suggested.“No, Ben. I need you here with me. You know I can't handle this big crowd alone.” I said as I removed my glasses, and cleaned it for the hundredth time.It was a great suggestion but I needed him. My introverted nature can only handle so much at once.As we stood whispering to each other, m
Ana My phone had been ringing off the hook since I resumed my shift. I knew it was my sister, who was probably calling about my son. I answered it on the second ring. “Beth?” “Ughh. I'm tired Ana. Little One is crying for his mama.” She whined over the phone. “Stop calling my child that. His name is Liam, and he'd grow up to be a great man.” I chided my sister for the umpteenth time. But she doesn't listen. “Seriously Ana, when will you be home? I need to get ready for practice, remember,” she said. My sister was the sweetest, helping me care for Liam while I worked to put food on the table. “Give me an hour, two max,” I answered. “But two hours is too–” she started to complain but I cut her short. “Sorry, Beth. Gotta go. My boss is here.” I dropped the call and heaved a sigh. I'd lied. But it was a necessary evil. I needed to work at least two more hours if I was going to successfully dodge Tony today. And the queue was getting longer. “Hey sweetheart, get me a
Ana I closed for work and left the shop, eager to get back to my son Liam, and also relieve my sister so she could go for her music practice. As I stepped out the door, I noticed a black car that looked a lot like the one from earlier, parked a few blocks away from the entrance. A lot of people own black cars so I didn't worry about it. I didn't have a car of my own and I had to walk some distance to catch the bus. I hurried along but soon noticed the black car idling alongside me on the sidewalk. I swallowed hard and clutched my bag tighter. I increased my pace, looking back intermittently to see if I was still being followed. The car increased speed as it tried to keep up with me. Why would the man who tried to save me a few hours ago be following me? I've had enough of stalkers and wasn't interested in adding another to my list. I picked up speed and ran as fast as my legs could carry me. The car revved up too and sped along, nearly knocking down an elderly couple who w
Ana Now it was my turn to stare at him like he was crazy. “Are you crazy?” I asked genuinely, because I was expecting to get a direct answer to the question. Granted, he didn't look like someone who was crazy. He looked quite normal. But asking a stranger to marry him? That was crazy. “Quite the opposite," he said, his tone measured and calm. He slipped his hands into his suit pockets, retrieved a soft cloth, and began to meticulously clean his glasses. He didn't even look at me. He was sexy with the glasses on, and without it, he was simply a snack. When we met at the coffee shop, I was too distracted by Tony to even remotely take note of his features. A waiter appeared, carrying a tray with two glasses of wine. He took one and nodded at me, “drink?” “I don't drink.” I said, eyeing him cautiously. My father was an abusive alcoholic. Each night he stumbled home, reeking of cheap alcohol. He would descend on my poor mother and proceed to beat her mercilessly. My sist
BenI glanced at my watch for the umpteenth time, the same old dreaded anxiety creeping up on me. Where was she?I hated having to wait on people. It was one of my pet peeves. Shirley had made sure of that.“Damn it.” I swore under my breath. If she doesn't show in the next five minutes, I would cancel the deal. To hell with the business.The door to the lounge opened and my business partners walked in. There were three of them; two men and a woman. I wasn't exactly comfortable meeting with them again, given that they'd witnessed my humiliation five years ago. But I had to do this for my father. He needed this deal to go through.I stood and came forward to meet them. We shook hands and I took them back to the seat where I sat with the woman not quite long ago.Dressed in suits, they looked like they didn't have time to waste, and I wasn't one to dally when it comes to business either. But my new wife - I didn't even know her name - was nowhere to be found.“We thought you'd be her
AnaThe text I'd received earlier from Beth was vague, but I didn't care. My baby was running a serious fever and was crying incessantly. Not even food could pacify him. I had to rush home and take care of him myself.I left the lounge and sprinted home, the only thought in my mind was my baby, Liam. I would've flown if I could.But then I remembered I had some money from the man, and immediately stopped a taxi.20 minutes later, I burst into my house and headed straight for Liam's crib. “Oh, my poor baby,” my throat tightened as I touched his hair. He cooed and turned on his side. He was sleeping peacefully, but his body was still warm. Beth was lying down close to the crib, sleeping. She looked exhausted.I tapped her, “Beth, wake up.”She opened her eyes, and on seeing me, she instantly sat up, rubbing her eyes.“Ana. Liam is sleeping now.”“Yes but I still need to take him to the doctor, he's still running temperature.” I said, searching round the room for his pacifier.Somethin